Sometimes a Cigarette Is Just a Cigarette

Lorillard launches Understanding Menthol.com website

July 01, 2010

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Lorillard Tobacco Co. has launched a new website, "Understanding Menthol," that focuses on the scientific evidence surrounding the public health impact of menthol in cigarettes. The new website is located at www.understandingmenthol.com.

Legislation signed into law last year authorized the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products. One provision of the law mandated the creation of a new Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, which [image-nocss] will submit a report and recommendation on the use of menthol in cigarettes to the FDA.

"In analyzing menthol in cigarettes, the FDA and its advisory committee have the responsibility of assessing sound, legitimate and objective scientific data," said William R. True, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and development for Lorillard Tobacco, who hosts the site. "This website describes the clear and compelling scientific evidence regarding menthol, one of the most widely studied ingredients in cigarettes."

He added, "The scientific evidence does not show that menthol in cigarettes is harmful, and Lorillard believes Americans have a right to make a personal choice to use any legal product. Menthol neither causes people to smoke, nor deters them from quitting. A menthol cigarette is just another cigaretteand should be treated no differently. The best available scientific evidence demonstrates that menthol cigarettes have the same health effects as nonmenthol cigarettes."

Lorillard is the third largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States. Founded in 1760, it is the oldest continuously operating U.S. tobacco company. Newport, Lorillard's flagship menthol-flavored premium cigarette brand, is the top-selling menthol and second largest-selling cigarette in the United States. In addition to Newport, the Lorillard product line has five additional brand families marketed under the Kent, True, Maverick, Old Gold and Max brand names. These six brands include 41 different product offerings which vary in price, taste, flavor, length and packaging. Lorillard maintains its headquarters and manufactures all of its products in Greensboro, N.C.

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